Oct. 2, 2026
by TIM HUNDT
VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday September 29 to authorize the Viroqua Fire Department to purchase a used ambulance and establish a municipal mutual aid ambulance service.
The decision allows Fire Chief Chad Buros to move forward with acquiring a 13 year old ambulance from the nearby La Farge EMS department for $55,000. Buros presented a detailed financial plan showing that the service will operate without requiring additional tax dollars from the city general fund, relying instead on state grants, patient transport billings, and private donations.
Buros explained that the primary motivation for creating a mutual aid ambulance is filling critical emergency gaps when primary commercial ambulances are fully committed to other calls.
“Providing a mutual aid ambulance through the Viroqua Fire Department is about one thing above all else,” said Buros. “It is about making sure people receive help when they need it the most.”
He noted that medical calls make up roughly 60 percent of the fire department’s nearly 700 annual calls, and warned that emergency call volume will continue to rise as the local population ages.
“Emergency medical calls do not wait for the right time, and they do not stop at community boundaries,” said Buros. “When someone in Viroqua or one of our neighboring communities is experiencing a medical emergency, every minute matters.”
Buros clarified that the new municipal ambulance will not replace existing 911 coverage provided by Tri State Ambulance, but will act as a secondary backup unit when primary crews are unavailable.
“Providing a mutual aid ambulance is not about replacing existing EMS services,” said Buros. “It is about adding capacity, improving response coverage, and making sure when someone calls 911, help is available.”
The proposal comes after years of increasing emergency call volume across Vernon County. The fire department launched its volunteer First Responder emergency medical responder program four years ago to provide rapid on scene care. In recent Public Safety Committee sessions, Buros highlighted the strain placed on surrounding rural departments like La Farge, Viola, and Readstown, which have frequently been dispatched into Viroqua for mutual aid when local commercial ambulances were tied up on other calls. Representatives from La Farge previously visited a Viroqua committee meeting to express burnout over frequent mutual aid trips into Viroqua and Westby.
“Those mutual aid ambulances are typically Lafarge, Viola, or Reedstown. They’re struggling themselves, and in my opinion, we’ve been abusing them for years. And they’ve started to talk about that.”
Buros expanded on that point regarding responder burnout.
“They’ll always be here to help, but something’s got to change because they’re getting burned out, not only on their own calls but also responding to mutual aid calls, not just to Viroqua, also to Westby’s district, also to their surrounding partners……some of our partners that it does affect that are starting to get tired. They have their own struggles, let’s say, and we’re putting extra burden on them. They’re getting tired. What did La Farge tell me? About a third of their call total last year was mutual aid calls, which is not okay…”
The new service will operate out of the city’s new $9.5 million, 26,000 square foot fire station on Nelson Parkway, which was completed in late 2025 with expanded vehicle bays and volunteer facilities. Buros presented a multi year budget spreadsheet outlining $40,394 in initial 2026 startup costs and $19,000 in annual operating expenses starting in 2027.
“We have got an opportunity,” said Buros. “La Farge Ambulance has offered up an ambulance for us to purchase for $55,000, less than what they planned on marketing it.”
He detailed how annual operating expenses will be covered by $32,035 in state FAP grant funds and an estimated $37,500 in response collections based on roughly 50 transports a year billed at $1,000 per call.
“It appears to me every way I have worked it that it is not a money maker by a long shot,” said Buros. “But it appears that it can fund itself.”
Buros added that prior to the meeting he conferred with Tri-State Ambulance leadership, who expressed support after learning Viroqua is not establishing a primary 911 transport district.
During council discussion, Alderperson Tanja Birke sought confirmation that the project will remain a city responsibility rather than a shared expense with neighboring townships.
“This is a Viroqua only expense,” said Birke. “It is not going to be shared with the townships.”
Buros confirmed that the city will hold the license and retain all billing revenues, while saving local residents from waiting extended periods for out of town ambulances.
“I believe it should be a city function,” said Buros. “It is needed most in the city because we have by far more medical calls.”
Birke also inquired if surplus transport revenues could be set aside in a dedicated account to fund future vehicle replacements.
“Seems like that would be the answer for how you buy the next ambulance,” said Birke. “Is that right?”
Buros agreed that accumulated revenue over seven to ten years could offset the cost of replacing the vehicle down the road.
“I believe that the way it looks and the way I am calculating, it feels like there should be money available to replace it when the time comes,” said Buros. “At 50 calls a year, that ambulance should last until it hits 20 years.”
Alderperson Todd Spaeth asked about essential startup gear, including patient cots and loading systems.
“The need to put all that startup equipment in it,” said Spaeth. “Did they strip things out of it.”
Buros explained that La Farge is leaving a power load system valued at $50,000 in the vehicle, while the fire department will acquire a used cot for $5,000.
“A lot of it is portable stuff,” said Buros. “They are leaving the power load in it.”
Alderperson Cyndy Hubbard confirmed that no city tax dollars were being requested before making the formal motion to proceed.
“So I understand correctly,” said Hubbard. “You are not asking the city for money.”
City Clerk Lori Polhamus framed the official motion to purchase the vehicle and initiate state licensing applications.
“Move forward with the ambulance purchase and related items to start the process of a mutual aid ambulance service,” said Polhamus.
The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Department staff will now begin drafting municipal ordinances, completing Department of Transportation vehicle inspections, and applying for state EMS licensing to prepare the mutual aid unit for service in early 2027.
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